Oka owners group newsletter

Durba Springs has a very large area for camping on green grass, and shady trees

A great spot to kick back for a day or two and catch your breath !!

Here we met Oka owners and tour operaters Ken & Sue Maidment Oka bus 334 ,

Ken is a water driller as has been involved with the reconditioning of many of the CSR wells.

Well 17 is pretty ace lots of rock pools in amongst the gorge and extremely photogenic, Well 18 is also reconditioned and the drive along this section had lots of bush grevillea and desert oaks, excellent camp spots are available amongst the desert oaks and spinifex with lots of red sand hills all around.

After crossing the tropic of Capricorn we were at Well 19 which is amongst a salt pan area and then to Savoury creek which is quite amazing as there is some sort of bush growing right up to the creek and the water is so salty, the ground is just white, you can put your hand into the water and pick up a handful of course salt crystals.

Had lunch at Lake Disappointment another huge salt pan, met a couple of German guys a few days earlier who had told us they had thought it would be a great photo opportunity of the troopy on the lake.......only to travel 15m before bogging to the axles.

Well 21also in ruins, Well 22 has a round shaft still visible probably due to the sandy soil present.

Just before Georgia Bore we came across the burnt out remains of a late model Toyota Prado, most likely due to the build up of Spinifex heads around the exhaust and underbody bashplates.

Georgia Bore had good drinking water for us to top up with and lots of zebra finchs thought so to, it’s here the Talawana track cross’s the CSR, had a look at the fuel dump from the Capricorn Roadhouse, the track here is very open with the occasional sand dune and rocky outcrop, Wells 23, 24 and 25 are in disrepair but still interesting,

Tiwa Well 26 has been reconditioned 10 years ago and looks very authentic having the windlass and trough and various plaques dedicated to Alfred Canning.

Wells 27-32 are in various states of disrepair and the countryside is for ever changing.

Well 33 and the Kunawarrijtji Community was a welcome sight, here we filled with diesel at $2-80 per litre after a day of corrugated roads.

We noticed that the sidewall of a rear tyre had some extra bulges than normal and this eventually blew out and left a gaping hole in the sidewall, replaced it and continued on, another half day of corrugations later and we were looking at Wells 34, 35, and 36

All quite unique in their own way, after leaving Well 37 and looking at the 4 graves

And cresting another dune we had another blow out, totally destroying a front tyre this time, we had been running the Bridgestone 265/70/19.5 tyres at 26 psi which was great to climb over dunes but obviously the side walls are weak at low psi.

At this point with only one spare left we turned around as there was a further 500km to go north, or 140km back to well 33 and community and then 800km to Port Headland for new tyres.........

we replaced a third tyre a week later, and decided not to go back onto the CSR and visit the following places instead, Paraburdoo and Tom Price Mine, Karajini N/P

Broome, Derby, Fitzroy River Geike Gorge boat tour,

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Winjana Gorge, Tunnel Creek, Wyndham lots of swimming at the Grotto,

also caught up with David & Janet Ribbans Oka 148 at Wyndham and Kununnurra and spent a few hours each time chatting about.......you know....what else!!!!! Kununurra, zebra rocks Ord dam, Katherine, Tenant Creek, Alice Springs, Adelaide, caught up with David Hallandal’s latest efforts on Oka 131,

and Home again - 13500km and 7 1/2weeks later .........

till next trip

Seeya offroad soon......

Greg Maree Thomas Phillip Emma Robert (I’ll add some pics to the home page soon)

TRIP TO WESTERN AUSTRALIA - August/September 2007 Written by Rowena Paterson

I recently completed a 10,000 km 8 week trip across to the south/west part of Western Australia in my OKA. I met up with lots of people along the way and visited some great places. First stop was Kalgoorlie for 5 days. Robin Wade (who owns Kalgoorlie OKA) made me feel very welcome. Robin has a number of OKAs in his yard for sale or being repaired. He has his own personal OKA No. 002, which was one of the original promotional OKAs used by the OKA factory.

After leaving Kalgoorlie I headed south to Esperance for 4 days to visit Tony Flynn who owns Aussie Bight Tours. Tony runs 2 tour bus OKAs. I went on a tour with Tony down to Cape Le Grand National Park and in and around Esperance. The Esperance area is just beautiful, white beaches and crystal blue water.

I then headed across to Hyden (Wave Rock), Albany (found a beaut free camp on the beach), Walpole (treetop walk), Margaret River & Perth.

While I was in Perth I had a chance to visit the OKA factory (Arthur, Allan & Angelica). Arthur (the CEO) gave me a personal tour of the factory. I couldn't help but notice all the interesting photos of OKAs on the walls in the main office. I enjoyed walking out onto the main factory floor for the first time, I was definitely in an OKA factory, you couldn't miss all those unique shaped cabins. It was pretty ace!! I had a look at a brand new NT OKA being built on the production line. This truck had a new look (round headlights and Cummins motor). They hope to go into full production next year when the new Cummins motors become available that meet the new emissions laws. They have so far made 4 new NT OKAs. Arthur also has his own personal OKA, the last LT made No. 433 which was also sitting on the factory floor during my visit.

I also met Brett & Karen Leis at the factory who own a XT OKA camper. Arthur took me into the back shed to have a look at the original OKA prototype, the very first OKA ever made back in 1987. This OKA is a single cab and has quite a different look to the current production OKAs. It has done half a million kilometres around Australia as the very first promotional vehicle. It still runs, just needs a battery.

Arthur was telling me that Ruedi & Susi Schoensleben (who own NT 1) were staying in Perth so I decided to visit them the next day for lunch. They were looking after a house in Waterford (while the owner is overseas). I am glad my OKA did decide to have a minor breakdown on the front lawn of this house in Waterford, and not anywhere else like at traffic lights or on the Nullabor. I broke a tiny pin on my clutch cable while reversing on the lawn, I had no clutch. Ruedi was kindly able to help me out and replace the pin so my clutch worked again. I found it quite funny to think of all the places in Australia to have breakdown, it happened on the front lawn of a house in Perth. Of course the story gets better, the house is owned by the guy who owns the OKA Motor Co. Gotta love my OKA!!

After leaving Perth I headed north along the coast up near Geraldton then back south via New Norcia and Toodyay. I then headed down to Beverly for a few days to visit Robert & Cherry Williamson on their sheep farm. Robert & Cherry took me for a 4WD tour around the property in their OKA. I also had use of one of their motorbikes so I could explore the farm. I enjoyed this as the property is undulating and there were so many great places to ride. Peter & Margaret Wright from Adelaide also called into the Williamsons farm for a few days in their OKA. When they turned up they were covered in bits of mud. They had just been rescued from a salt lake bog. A kind farmer pulled their OKA out of the bog with his tractor. Peter showed us the photos, it was a very big tractor, with huge wheels.

On my way home I called into Adelaide to visit the Hallandals for a few days. It was good to check out their new OKA camper conversion and have a chat to them. David & Carol Dunning also called in for morning tea, so it was also good to meet them.

I had a great trip, met lots of great people on the road and shared many campfires with them.

OKA Rally Coonamble Oct 2007 John Hendriks

The Parsons have done it again....a brilliant long weekend at their farm in western NSW. A very big

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THANK YOU to our fantastic hosts. The weather was perfect, although everyone there wished that rain would fall. The country looks very dry and dusty. Lloyd informed us that many farmers are leaving the land as it is heart breaking to see the conditions. The last rain that they have received was early in June and nothing since.

Another great feature this weekend was that the Gyro club had a rally at the Parsons as well and the integration between the Oka owners and Gyro club members was fantastic. Both groups mixed quite freely and it was fantastic and I hope that more venues like this can be organised in the future.

OKA group attendees were;

• • • • • • • •

Marg & Lloyd Parsons Norm & Lyneve Burrell Paul & Sue Crompton Paul Knott

Owen Jones

Peter Davis & family Michael Faber & family Ron & Lynette Quigley

Michael & Virginia Hession Jim & Julie Curtin & family Eric & Sylvia Yeo

Darren Visser & family Chalky White

Chris Deed & family Ray & Robin Quigley John & Maree Hendriks

During the day we all went and watched the gyro's fly and some OKA members have become quite keen in pursuing this fascinating form of flying. Darren Visser and Jim Curtin in particular have shown a great interest after been taken up in the air by Sam. It certainly was of great interest.

Of other great interest was the arrival of Jim & Julie Curtin in their new Unimog 5000. This machine is huge and Jim is going to build a camper for this. He only registered it last Thursday, as it is a new vehicle. We all showed a great interest and had many questions for Jim, who happily answered them all.

Of other interest on the weekend was the arrival of a unique Landrover. This unit was used by the army and the owner just dropped by after picking it up. It was a petrol unit with a LPG conversion. The owner is not know by me and did not stay very long. The truck was certainly of interest and we all had a good look over it.

After dinner each night, Lloyd started a big fire in the center of his yard and we all sat around this chatting well into the night. Of course the gyro boys and the OKA boys mixed and had heaps of stories to tell. It was just great to meet different people and I am sure many new friendships were made. Photos are available on the Oka website, at www.okaownersgroup.info .

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ARNHEM LAND TRIP

Our trip this year was basically to visit Arnhem Land, but we took the opportunity to travel via the Diamentina Lakes, which were this year full of water. We fished at the National Park, and used up all our bait before we arrived at Old Cork Station, where our camping neighbours were hauling them in! We then travelled cross country, turning off near Middleton to arrive at Mt Isa via Toolebuc, Phosphate Hill and Duchess. Our next destination was Lawn Hill, which is as beautiful as ever, then through Kingfisher Camp to Borroloola and Cape Crawford by the Gulf track. We here took a helicopter ride over the Lost City before heading north and spent a day at Lorella Springs, a very worthwhile stop over. The road north was in great condition and we visited Butterfly Gorge and stayed a night at the Limmin Bight Fishing camp on our way to Roper Bar then Mataranka where we visited friends at a neighbouring cattle station.

It is 700 odd km to Nhulunbuy, but we were lucky as with the unseasonable rains in May/June the grader was still on the road. We spent a couple of days looking round the Gove area, and trying our hand at fishing again – the locals blamed cold currents from the south for the lack of fish. The Art Gallery at nearby Yirrkala was amazing and the whole area is beautiful with a great climate and unspoilt beaches (but watch out for crocs – no swimming!). Gove isn’t really a tourist place, and the permit system seems to actively discourage visitors. Even the people who live and work there must have a permit to be there, and there is talk of them also requiring a permit to purchase alcohol – an attempt to discourage the indigenous people from overimbibing, although Kava is in use there and a certain quantity is allowed. There are plenty of buffalo wandering through the scrub and across the roads, and we saw some wild donkeys also. We did hear of a Yank purchasing a set of buffalo horns for $150,000! Some of the local indigenous people trap and sell buffalo, and we called at a set of yards where they were unloading buffalo from great 4x4 trucks.

We headed back to Katherine, detouring past some farms where they are intensively growing melons and pumpkins which they truck to markets in Sydney & Brisbane. They employ backpackers and also Asian labourers from places like Cambodia to work on the farms. Part of the training is to teach them basic hygiene, cooking, shopping and other skills as well as some English language. We spent a few days in Kakadu and enjoyed the scenery and the wildlife, although we tried to keep to the 4 wheel drive destinations where possible. On our trip to Twin Falls, we piled everyone into the 2 Okas to cross Jim Jim Creek at 1.1 metres with crocodile signs everywhere. We crossed the East Adelaide River and on to Coburg Peninsula, where there are more pristine beaches and wetlands – a real tropical paradise where we relaxed for a few days before heading back through Kakadu to Darwin. After a few days here, we headed back down south, visiting Daly Waters and basking in the Douglas Hot Springs on the way to Tennant Creek before heading back down the highway to home.

As far as our Oka went, it performed well, although we did break a front brake line on our way north through Kakadu, but managed to plug it and travelled with 3 brakes till we hit Darwin many days later. It seems that some of our brake lines are copper and some steel, and we will gradually replace all the copper ones. We also broke a rear shock hanger, but as our shocks were really past it anyway, we removed the shock and noticed little difference. Ron had starter problems, and we pushed or towed him to get him started for a couple of weeks, but that wasn’t serious. Before he left home Ron had his injectors serviced and his improved fuel ecomony was noticeable. Our Oka continued to use a little oil, and on talking to Paul Nott since he suggested that using Mono 40

oil might cure it.

TRY THE WEBSITE SET UP BY THE SCHOENSSLEBEN’s – Just click on the links shown below to

see how they are going with their new model Oka NT!!!

Dear all,

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In the last few weeks we have been able to catch up with lots of web-work. We have not

only updated all trips of 2007, no, no, we have actually managed to finish the missing

ones from 2006 AND 2005! Some of the highlights include:

2007:

- Old Andado Road and Dalhousie Springs

( http://www.schoensleben.ch/sur/content/journeys/australia/2007/aus_2007_05_a

lice_coober_pedy_e.shtml )

- some parts of the Oodnadatta Track

( http://www.schoensleben.ch/sur/content/journeys/australia/2007/aus_2007_06_c

oober_pedy_perth_e.shtml )

2006:

- There is also a report on our testing of the OKA in Kalbarri, where we bogged the OKA beautifully (movie available)

( http://www.schoensleben.ch/sur/content/journeys/australia/2006/aus_2006_01_k

albarri_e.shtml )

- Around Alice Springs (Ayers Rock, Kings Canyon, McDonnell Ranges, etc.) ( http://www.schoensleben.ch/sur/content/journeys/australia/2006/aus_2006_03_d

ude_alice_perth_e.shtml )

- Great Central Road to Kalgoorlie ... read about the Ghost-town of Gwalia ...

( http://www.schoensleben.ch/sur/content/journeys/australia/2006/aus_2006_06_o

ka_alice_kalgoorlie_e.shtml )

- and the Holland Track.

Flower-lovers:

The Holland Track journal is a MUST for you!

We have remantl through the famous Western Australian spring and the flowers are

just stunning!

( http://www.schoensleben.ch/sur/content/journeys/australia/2006/aus_2006_07_o

ka_kalgoorlie_perth_e.shtml )

2005:

- We have even finished the last leg of our trip on the Matisse,

from French Caledonia via Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide to Perth.

( http://www.schoensleben.ch/sur/content/journeys/sailing_cruises/2005/hamburg

_perth/05_nz_fremantle_e.shtml )

Also a new navigation has been implemented. You can now directly click from one journal

to the next one once reaching the end of the text.

We have done our part, now it’s back to you! Have fun! Kind regards

Susi & Ruedi

FOR SALE:

Hi Lloyd and Marj

Sorry I have not been involved with the OKA Club for a while, I have been living and working in the Maldive Islands for the last few years. It does not look like I will be back in Oz anytime soon and so it is with great regret that I am putting OKA22 up for sale.

OKA22 is a tray back OKA that I had started to prepare for my trips around Oz, the suspension is all new. The vehicle is presently located 100km north of Perth WA on a farm.

If any members or friends are interested in buying OKA22 my brother in law Dave Long can show them the vehicle and he can be contacted on his mobile phone on [phone]

I still love reading the newsletters, it makes me very jealous of all the fun you guys are having !. Take care. Cheers

Bob.

********************

Hi,

I am not sure whether the oka group is still functional or not but if so would you be able to send out an email that we will have our Oka on the market probably towards the end of September or October, this will depend on the season. If anyone might be interested they can contact me for any relevant info required.

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Cheers and happy travelling. Paul.

Paul Wainwright

East Kimberley Tours Kununurra 6743

08 91682213 www.eastkimberleytours.com.au

Managing Director P.O Box 537

W.A. 0437707709

*********************

On the 19^th of August Darren Visser his partner Janine & kids in tow with 6 support vehicles and 1 x 6g Australia made Chamberlain Tractor are travelling around Australia to commemorate the 50^th year anniversary of the Mobilgas Rally event that took place in 1957.

On the journey we will be travelling clockwise around Australia doing approx 15,000km in 38 days. Whilst travelling around Australia we will be collecting money and campaigning for Prostate Cancer & Breast Cancer.

There were 6 guys who did the original Redex & Mobilgas rallies that the Original tractor was involved in. As a sweep for the broken down vehicles, we have tracked down Ron Bywaters, John Cummins, Thelma Boyd who is Arthur Boyd’s widow, Jimmy Hawker and we are trying to find 1 missing link who is Len Willshire.

The following web site is full of information that will give you more information if you need it.

www.tailendcharliethetractor.org

Speedo wiring diagram

Just check out any traffic tickets you get – you never know what happens to your

unattended Oka!

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The other day I went into town to shop at Woolworths I was only in there for about 5 minutes. When I came out there was a cop writing out a parking ticket.

I went up to him and said, "Come on man, how about giving a senior citizen a break?" He ignored me and continued writing the ticket.

I called him a Nazi turd. He glared at me and started writing another ticket for having worn tyres. So I called him a $%#&! Head.

He finished the second ticket and put it on the windshield with the first. Then he started writing a third ticket. This went on for about 20 minutes.

The more I abused him, the more tickets he wrote. Personally, I didn't care. I came into town by bus. I try to have a little fun each day now that I'm retired. It's important at my age.

(anonymous)

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Hi Everyone,

OKA OWNERS GROUP (PUTTING PEOPLE AND THE ENVIRONMENT FIRST)

NEWSLETTER December 2007

We would like to wish all Oka Owners a very happy Christmas, and an adventurous and prosperous New Year. Thank you to all those who have contributed to the Group, either by using the Website to find information or impart new ideas, by getting people together, sending information for the Newsletter, or just helping each other by phone calls or visits. As this is a “Group”, we rely on each of our members to pass on information to the others. Okas are very individual machines, and the problem you have with your Oka may be just the same as another member is having, and if you can tell us how you solved it, it makes it easier for everyone.

We now have another NT owner who has joined our group. It is great that Oka are turning out new machines, and we look forward to feedback from the NT owners. Their vehicles are also individually built, and I am sure they will have similar problems, if slightly different to the LT’s and XT’s. Many of their components are the same, and our problems with these will most likely be theirs some day. Although it must be said here that those who have owned their vehicles privately from new seem to live a trouble-free existence, as far as their Okas go.

Thank you to Tim Forsyth from Weipa for passing on the information about intercoolers, and also installing a new speedo and tacho. I have unfortunately had to delete some of the excellent photos that came with it, and have made the rest smaller to fit them into the newsletter. If you need more information, I am sure he would be only too happy to give it to you His email address is: [e-mail] .

Subscriptions to the Oka Owners Group are now due. You will find details from Rowena on the last page of the newsletter. You will notice that Rowena has also organized Oka drink coolers as part of your membership, and these should be arriving at your place soon.

Once again we hope that you all have a very enjoyable Christmas break.

Sincerely Marj Parsons

OKA RALLY - Simpson/Princetown, Great Ocean Road, Victoria

When: 25th - 28th January 2008, Australia Day long weekend.

Where: Between Simpson & Princetown, near the Great Ocean Road. Wayne & Lisa Simmonds have kindly

offered the use of their property on the corner of Turrong Road/Simpson-Princetown Road. Property has

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large shed, outside BBQ & drinking water. Portable toilets will be provided.

Directions: From Simpson, head down towards Princetown 15 kilometres. Turn right into Turrong Road, first gate on the right. Only 10 minutes from Princetown and the Great Ocean Road.

Ideas: Bushwalking, easy 4WD treks, coastal walking or just relaxing. Please contact Rowena Paterson for further details.

COONAMBLE LONG WEEKEND 2007

A report, by John Hendriks, of the weekend has been given elsewhere.

The blending of the Gyros with the Oka’s proved to make it a great and unique weekend. There was a great deal of interest from both groups in each others chosen interest.

One of the main benefits in getting together is the sharing of experiences and knowledge and this weekend was no exception. I would like to record some of the things I found out on the weekend, that I believe may be of interest to others and I would encourage anyone if they want more information to contact the people concerned.

Paul Nott is always a fountain of knowledge and he willingly gives of his knowledge, experience and enthusiasm for the Oka vehicle. He should be everyone’s first call for parts and service for their vehicle, especially if it relates to the suspension, transmission or drive train. He really knows his stuff and his prices are more than reasonable. On the weekend Paul had brought along a number of parts to show and most IMPORTANTLY he showed everyone how he was developing improved and much stronger parts to over come some of the weaknesses in the Oka. He showed: